Chapter 9

Kaname was so glad it was all over, and most of all he was glad Zero was all right. He felt so good in his arms, and didn't want to let go. And he knew Zero felt the same.

But their friends chose this moment to arrive. Kaname felt their presence, and he knew they could see them like this. But he didn't care. Still, they pulled away slowly, and Kaname glanced at the three nobles, his sister, and Kaito. Unsurprisingly, they looked shocked.

Ruka and Yuki were the worst ones. They seemed very jealous of Zero, although Ruka was doing a better job of hiding it. Kaito didn't look too shocked; but he wasn't that dumb after all, after everything that happened, he had probably figured it out already. As for Aidou, he was smiling, as if he thought they were cute together.

Akatsuki, never one not to mind his own business, cleared his throat and broke the awkward silence. "Looks like we're late."

Ruka also snapped out of it. "Are you all right, Kaname-sama?"

His shirt was stained with blood, but his wound was almost completely healed.

"I'm fine," he said.

Without a word, Kaito suddenly took off his jacket, and threw it at Zero.

"Thanks," the silver-haired hunter said as he put it on to cover himself.

"We should go report at the Association," Kaito said simply.

Zero nodded and was about to follow his partner, but Kaname took his arm and held him back.

"It can wait," he told Kaito. "He needs to rest."

Zero stayed silent, glancing down. Kaname let go of his arm.

Kaito nodded. "I'll be going then." He said before walking away.

"We'll be going, too," Akatsuki said.

"Thank you for your help," Kaname said sincerely.

Ruka nodded, smiled, and with Akatsuki they also walked away.

Yuki and Aidou still hadn't said a word. In silence, the four vampires walked toward the Kuran mansion; Aidou and Yuki leading the way, Kaname and Zero further behind.

"Well, this isn't awkward," Zero whispered sarcastically.

Yuki was sending them questioning glances, as for Aidou he just seemed happy and relaxed as ever.

"Should we go to your apartment instead?" Kaname suggested.

"Yeah," Zero answered firmly.

He waited as Kaname went to tell Aidou and Yuki he wasn't going home with them. Again, Yuki sent him a curious glance, but then she nodded and left with the blond.

Kaname walked back toward him. "Let's go," he said.

He put a comforting arm around his shoulders. At first the hunter tensed, but then he let himself relax into his touch, and he leaned on Kaname as they walked together. He suddenly felt very tired, and his body was still sore from everything that had happened.

When they got to his apartment, Kaname insisted that they take a shower. Even though Zero was exhausted and wanted nothing more than collapse on his bed, he complied anyway.

And later, under the soothing hot water, he had to admit it felt good. It was like it cleansed him from the torture the other asshole had put him through. He was pretty much leaning on Kaname the whole time, the latter washing his body gently.

And it was in that position, leaning on Kaname as he washed his back that he suddenly pulled away and frowned slightly. Kaname only smiled and brushed his wet silver bangs behind his ears.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Zero asked in barely a whisper.

Kaname's beautiful reddish brown eyes met his. "Because I love you," he said simply.

His hold tightened slightly around Zero, as if he was afraid that he would run away, like last time. But Zero didn't move. He didn't reply either. But he held Kaname back in a tight hug, burying his face in his neck.

When they got out of the shower Kaname started drying him with a clean towel, but Zero took it from him.

"It's okay, I can do it myself," he said softly.

Kaname chuckled lightly. "It's just… You look like you're gonna pass out any second."

"I'll try to wait 'til I'm in the bed," he chuckled.

The brunet suddenly picked him up. "I'll carry you."

"Kaname put me down," Zero said, annoyed.

But he wasn't struggling. He was way too tired. So Kaname carried him to the bed, and put him down softly. Then he climbed in next to him, wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. Again, Zero didn't protest. He felt safe in Kaname's arms. He barely felt the latter's hand caressing his hair softly, he was already half-asleep…

xxx

Kaname was looming over him, and then, with a smile, he leaned closer and closer, before finally kissing him passionately. Zero kissed back fiercely, wrapping his arms around the brunet. God he loved this man, he realized it now. He loved not only his body, but his mind and soul.

But then Kaname pulled away, and when Zero tried to hold him back he pushed him away, shaking his head sadly.

"I can't be with you," he was saying. "I'm a pureblood. And what are you…?" He made a disgusted face.

He walked away. Zero went after him, but it was no use…

He felt like he was suffocating.

Everything was becoming dark and blurry around Zero. And Kaname was disappearing in the distance, for good.

"Kaname..."

"Shh… it's okay, I'm right here, open your eyes, Zero…"

Lavender eyes snapped open and he tried to crawl away from the other, confused. But Kaname frowned and moved closer, still holding him.

"What's wrong? Talk to me…" he pleaded with big brown eyes so sad, so caring.

Zero's breathing evened, but the air around him still felt suffocating. Glancing at the window he saw that it was night again already. Had he really slept this long? Probably, he thought, since he didn't feel tired anymore.

Kaname reached with his hand to caress his cheek, his hair, and Zero leaned in the touch, closing his eyes for a moment.

"You have to talk to me," Kaname said again. "What are you afraid of?"

Zero opened his eyes, looked at Kaname, hesitated…

"Let's go outside," he finally said.

Kaname looked confused, but then he nodded and pulled away. They put their clothes on in silence, Zero lending him a clean black shirt. They went outside and walked quietly side by side, but without touching.

Zero sighed, and glancing at the night sky, the stars, the moon, at anywhere but Kaname's eyes, he finally spoke. "In my dreams, you…" he hesitated, glancing down.

"Yes?" Kaname's soft voice encouraged him.

"You always end up mocking me, or just leaving me, because I'm almost a level E, and well, you're a pureblood…" he said in one breath. Kaname frowned, but stayed silent. Zero continued in a broken whisper, "I guess, what I'm afraid of… is to lose you."

This time, Kaname stopped walking and turned to look at him. Zero also stopped, but he was still glancing down, his hands in his pockets.

Sighing, Kaname took his wrists softly, and pulled his hands out to hold them instead. He leaned closer.

"Look at me," he whispered.

Zero looked up, holding his breath.

"I love you. How many times will I have to say it? Zero, you have become my reason to live. However sappy it might sound, it's still the truth."

"It's not sappy," Zero whispered. "Everybody needs a reason to live."

"And I couldn't care less," Kaname continued, "that you're not a noble. If anything, it makes me love you more."

Zero stayed silent, listening.

"I am afraid to lose you too, Zero. You have no idea."

Kaname quietly led them to a nearby bench in a small park, and they sat together.

"I'm not going anywhere," Zero finally said.

The brunet smiled. "Well good. Cause neither am I."

They kissed softly, pressing their bodies closer in the cold night.

When Zero pulled away, he looked into Kaname's eyes, his heart beating faster. He had one more thing to say.

"I love you…"

Kaname's eyes widened slightly, and then he leaned closer and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him in a tight embrace.

They stayed like this for a few moments, content just to be in each other's arms.

"You know, I've been having dreams about you too, for a long time," Kaname said, lighting the mood.

Zero's lips twitched into a smile. "What kind of dreams?" he whispered in his ear.

"I'll let you guess…" he smirked, pulling away.

Zero kissed him again, more passionately this time.

They decided to go back to the apartment. This time, nothing was troubling their mind. They were walking close to each other, hand in hand.

A/N: Well, here it is. I really hope you liked the story. Thank you so much for reading.